Summary
TheStar Warsfranchise is well-known for its highly memorable quotes, and many of the best lines are to be found inThe Empire Strikes Back. Widely regarded as the best film in the franchise,The Empire Strikes Backexcels in every way imaginable thanks to superb direction, fantastic performances, outstanding visual effects, brilliant story structure, and bold choices. It’s also an extremely well-written film, with dialogue that flows naturally across every scene and perfectly fits each character.
It’s truly impressive how almost every scene is memorable and not a second feels wasted. However, some quotes stand out more than others through emotional impact, effective delivery, or prevalence in pop culture. 10 key quotes are the most memorable inThe Empire Strikes Backand some of the best thattheStar Warsmovieshave to offer.
Every Star Wars Movie, Ranked Worst To Best
Looking at all nine Skywalker Saga entries and three spinoffs, we crown the best Star Wars movie in our full ranking of the galaxy far, far away.
15"I’d Just As Soon Kiss A Wookiee!"
Princess Leia
Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa both have some of the best lines inThe Empire Strikes Back, yet none are as memorable as when they argue. One of Leia’s most memorable quotes comes at the end of their first fight, responding to Han’s suggestion that she wanted a goodbye kiss with"I’d just as soon kiss a Wookiee!“As good as that line was, Leia walked right into Han’s comeback when he offered to arrange it, creating one of the most hilarious exchanges inStar Warsand foreshadowing their kiss at the end of the film.
Han Solo
Only Han Solo could make a wisecrack after saving his best friend from freezing to deathby shoving him into the guts of a dead tauntaun. It perfectly complements Han’s exhaustion yet also lifts a bit of tension after such a serious sequence. It quickly became one of Han’s most quotable lines and has been referenced in multiple projects, from parodies toLEGO Star Warsspecials.
13"Why, You Stuck-Up, Half-Witted, Scruffy-Looking Nerf Herder!”
Another hilarious example of Han and Leia’s banter, this line is probablythe most well-knownStar Warsinsult. It’s especially funny how Leia emphasizes"nerf herder,“thinking it’ll hurt Han’s pride the most, but he instead takes offense at being called"scruffy-looking.“Han’s first meeting with Lando Calrissian later in the movie calls back to this scene when Lando calls him a"slimy, double-crossing, no-good swindler.”
12"Good. Our First Catch Of The Day.”
Captain Lennox
This is one instance of aStar Warsquote being memorable purely because of the actor’s performance. Despite having only one line,John Dicks is perfect as Captain Lennox, striking just the right balance between Imperial stiffness and fun hammy delivery. It’s interesting to consider how memorable this quote would be if it was read differently or done by a different actor.
11"Never Tell Me The Odds!"
Han Solo always seems to do the impossible when piloting theMillennium Falcon, and his response to C-3PO’s calculations perfectly sums up this aspect of his character. He may not be Force-sensitive, butHan trusts his instincts and never doubts his abilities, something a Jedi would approve of. This attitude is remarkably similar to Ben Kenobi telling Luke Skywalker to rely on his feelings instead of the targeting computer during his run on the Death Star.
10"You’re Lucky You Don’t Taste Very Good."
Luke Skywalker (Theatrical Version)
Luke Skywalker’s line to R2-D2 about not tasting very good is memorable despite not being in the official version ofThe Empire Strikes Back. This is what Luke said to R2-D2 in the 1980 theatrical cut of the film, but for the Special Edition,George Lucas changed the line to"You were lucky to get out of there.“Perhaps Lucas thought Luke shouldn’t joke about R2-D2’s near-death experience, but the original line is more memorable and makes sense after the droid was spat out.
9"Asteroids Do Not Concern Me, Admiral. I Want That Ship, Not Excuses.”
Darth Vader
Like Han and Leia,Darth Vader has more than his fair share of memorable quotesthroughoutThe Empire Strikes Back. He makes clear in every scene that those beneath him should obey, not question, and his line about asteroids conveys how Imperial lives ultimately mean nothing to him. It sets the tone for Vader’s actions throughout the rest of the film and affirms his commanding presence.
8"A Great Warrior. Ha Ha Ha! Wars Not Make One Great."
Yoda
The next candidate for the greatest number of memorable quotes inThe Empire Strikes Backis none other than Jedi Master Yoda. Even though he introduces himself to Luke as a silly hermit curious about a new arrival,Yoda hints at his true identity by commenting on the nature of war. Yoda’s line is surprising at first, saying that in a franchise calledStar Wars, war doesn’t make one great. However, it aligns perfectly with what he plans to teach Luke about what it means to be a Jedi.
The aged Jedi Master had trained Jedi for 800 years by the time he met Luke Skywalker on the planet Dagobah. One of the most famed and revered Jedi, Yoda served as Grand Master of the Jedi Order for centuries; he was powerful enough to duel Darth Sidious himself, although he was defeated. Yoda exiled himself to Dagobah, where he learned how to become a Force Ghost and offered guidance to Luke Skywalker.
7"All His Life Has He Looked Away… To The Future, To The Horizon. Never His Mind On Where He Was, Hmm? What He Was Doing."
Once Yoda reveals his true identity as a Jedi Master, he becomes serious and bluntly shares his opinion of Luke. Like his previous comments on war, Yoda’s criticism of Luke chides him for looking to the horizon, arguably the most iconic shot in all ofStar Wars. Even so,Yoda is completely right about the dangers of worrying about the future instead of paying attention to the present, something that will cost Luke when he rushes to save his friends at Cloud City.
6"Bounty Hunters. We Don’t Need Their Scum."
Admiral Piett
Admiral Piett would never voice criticism to Darth Vader, but he has no reservations about sharing his disdain for bounty hunters with his subordinates. Asan introduction to bounty hunters inStar Wars, this quote is simple yet effective, immediately making them synonymous with scum. Every time aStar Warsfan sees a new bounty hunter in any medium, they’re likely to think of this line.
